What to Do After a Biohazard Situation

Start by keeping people away from the affected area

Blood, bodily fluids, decomposition, animal waste, and other biohazards can spread through flooring, soft materials, HVAC movement, and foot traffic. Keep family members, tenants, employees, and pets away from the area until the situation is reviewed.

• Do not move contaminated items unless safety requires it
• Avoid walking through the affected room or hallway
• Keep children, pets, and visitors out of the space
• If police, fire, or medical personnel are involved, wait until they release the scene

Do not try to clean serious contamination with household products

Normal cleaning products can make a surface look better without addressing the underlying risk. Porous materials, seams, subflooring, and hidden areas may still hold odor or biological residue after surface wiping.

• Avoid bleach mixing or chemical guessing
• Do not use a household vacuum on dry contamination
• Do not bag materials without knowing disposal requirements
• Do not rely on air fresheners for decomposition or hoarding odor

Call and explain the situation plainly

The first call should be practical. Share the city, property type, affected room or area, whether emergency personnel have already left, and whether odor, fluids, pests, or porous materials are involved.